Clinical oncogenetics
cancer, counseling, genetics, health disparities, hereditary
Research aim
To improve access to genetic care for cancer patients and their relatives
About us
We developed and implemented national mainstream genetic testing pathways for several cancer types (breast, ovarian, prostate cancer). In these pathways, healthcare professionals who are treating the patient discuss and request genetic testing, instead of a clinical geneticist. These projects contribute to a significant increase in the uptake of genetic testing in eligible patients with cancer. We will expand the cancer types for which this workflow will be feasible, and the genetic care pathway following molecular genetic testing in tumor tissue.
Furthermore, we have set up a large intervention study (Erfo4all) that aims to close the disparity gap in cancer genetic counseling and testing by training referring clinicians to recognize lower health literacy in breast cancer patients and communicate effectively about genetic testing with migrant patients and patients with lower health literacy skills.
We develop new digital tools that support patients at high-risk of developing breast cancer in risk management (surveillance, lifestyle, risk-reducing surgery and breast reconstruction).
We collaborate with patient organizations from the beginning of our projects. We collaborate with many departments (Surgery, Gynecology, Urology, Oncology) of national (non-)academic hospitals. We partner with the HEBON network (Hereditary Breast and Ovarian cancer in the Netherlands), and through HEBON in international consortia like BCAC (Breast Cancer Association consortium) and BRIDGES.